Building structure



BUILDING STRUCTURE F'iled oct. 27, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Oct. 18, 1949.

Filed Oct. 27, 1945 'T T f :F. M. sMlTH" 2,485,

BUILDING STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 18, 1949. F. M. SMITH BUILDINGSTRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 2'7, 1945 4 5H f M M 7 9, W W

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Filed Oct. 27, 1945 F. M. SMITH 2,485,463

BUILDING STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ELL.

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Patented Oct. 18, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUILDING STRUCTUREFrank M. Smith, Lexington, Mich. Application October 27, 1945, SerialNo. 625,040

11 Claims.

The invention relates broadly to new and useful improvements in buildingconstruction and more particularly to buildings of the so-called trailertype having separable front and rear sections and collapsible parts thatcan be folded compactly together or unfolded to substantially increasethe size of the building.

. provides a two wing structure when expanded.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a building of theabove mentioned character which, when expanded, has an entirelydifferent appearance than the same structure in a collapsed condition.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a building of theabove mentioned character which, when expanded, has an entirelydifferent appearance than conventional trailer type buildings.

A further object of the invention is to provide a building of the abovementioned character in which the collapsible or foldable parts arearranged and correlated in a novel manner.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a building of theabove mentioned character that easily can be expanded or collapsed byone person.

Other objects and advantages of the invention.

will be apparent during the course of the follow- Q ing description.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein likenumerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a building embodying the presentinvention and showing the same in an expanded condition,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the building but showing the same in acollapsed condition,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof,

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the building when expanded as shown inFig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a top plan view thereof,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional View taken on the line 6-6of Fig. 4,

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 'l--'| of Fig.4,

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view taken on the line 88 ofFig. 5,

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on theline 9-9 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line iii-49 of Fig. 7but showing the panels carried by the front section of the building inthe folded or collapsed position,

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line HIl of Fig. '7but showing the panels carried by the rear section .of the building inthe folded or collapsed position,

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line l2l2 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line I3I3of Fig. 5,

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view showing one type of jack forsupporting the building, and

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view showing another type of jack.

Considered in certain of its broader aspects the invention comprises abuilding formed in two sections that is particularly adaptable fortrailer types but which may be simply of portable character devoid ofwheels and axles and capable of being moved fromplace to place by truckor the like. Each of the sections has a floor, two side walls, an endwall, and a roofand is mounted on a pair of ground engaging wheels. Theopen ends of the sections are adapted to be disposed in end-to-endrelation and it is preferred that, when so disposed, their floors, sidewalls and roofs align. In order to hold the sections together, theirside walls are connected by vertical hinges and, when the two sectionsare connected, they present the appearance of a conventional trailer.Since both of the sections are mounted on ground engaging wheels theentire building is readily transportable.

In order to expand the building the pintle is removed from one of thehinges and the two sections are swung apart about the other hinge. Whenthus separated the two sections are disposed at substantially rightangles and each forms a separate wing of the expanded building. Hingedpanels mounted at the open ends of the sections and normally folded inoverlapping relation therebetween are then unfolded. In their unfoldedor expanded position the panels form continuations .of the roofs, floorsand outer side Walls of the sections. The side panels are uniquelyconstructed to support the floor panel and suitable means are providedto detachably connect all of the panels so that they provide a solid andrigid structure enclosing the space between the sections.

For a more detailed description of the inventrail or track the frontwheels.

tion reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein the numerals29 and 22 designate the rear and front sections of the building whichare formed of any suitable material and by conventional methods intostrong and permanently rigid structures. Each of the sections has afioor 24, side walls 26 and 28, and end wall 38 and a roof 32. The openends of the sections 28 and 22 are adapted to be disposed in abuttingrelation and, when so disposed, the floors, roofs and side walls alignas shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The sections are divided into suitablecompartments by partitions 3 3 and the side and end walls are providedwith suitable windows at. Wall of the rear section 29 is provided with adoor 33. The adjacent side walls 26 and 28 are connected by verticalhinges lit and M and the adjacent roofs 32 are connected by a retainingstrip 42 and catch members 44 (Fig. 12). Both the retaining strip andthe catch members preferably comprise metal strips which extend entirelyacross the roofs so that the former closes the joint therebetween. Theopposite edges of the retaining strip 42 are curled under and the outeredges of the catch members are reversely bent as at 8 to interengagetherewith. The retaining strip 42 is applied or removed merely bysliding it longitudinally on the catch members i l. If desired, theretaining strip 42 and the catch members M may be provided with a slightlongitudinal taper so that the former is securely held by wedging it onthe catch members. In this connection it will be observed that theinterlocking portions 46 and 48 possess an inherent resiliency thatassists in .preventing the retaining strip 12 from inadvertently slidingoff and releasing the catch members A l. The interfitting barrels ofhinges it and 4| prevent relative vertical movement between the twobuilding sections 2!! and 22 and the connecting pintles cooperate withthe at each side of the sections and are suitably spaced longitudinallyproperl to support the building. The wheels 50 under the front section22 have swivel mountings and the wheels under the rear section 25} arestationary so that they Front building section 22 is also adapted forconnection to a suit-able draw bar or tongue (not shown) for attachmentto a towing vehicle.

Alternatively, the front section 22 may be supported merely by a singleswiveled wheel 5i as shown by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 2.

A plurality of hinged panels mounted at the open ends of the buildingsections 2 and 22 are normally disposed in folded or overlappingrelation therebetween as shown in Fig. 12.

The rear section 28 carries two panels 52 and 54. Panel 52, hingedlyattached to the floor '24, is substantially square and adapted to foldupwardly between side walls '26 and 28. In this position the outer edgeof panel 52 is positioned snugly against the underside of roof 32. Panel54 hingedly attached to side wall 28 is adapted to swing inwardly andoverlap the floor panel 52. In order that it may swing or fold inwardlin this manner the abutting edges of panel 54 and wall 28 are beveled,as at 55 and 53. As best shown in Fig. 12, the upper edge of side panel54 fits snugly against the under surface of top 32 and the lower edgethereof is provided with a flange which projects under the floor 24.

The free or swinging edge of the panel fits snugly against the innersurface of wall 26 and is disposed flush with the adjacent edge of floorpanel 52.

The front building section 22 carries hinged panels 62, 64 and 66.Panels 62 and 52 are identical in size and shape as are panels 64 and54. The panel 62 is attached to the roof 32 and the panel B2 is attachedto the side wall 28. Panel 62 folds downwardly and panel 64 folds overagainst the top panel, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. In order to permitthe side panel 64 to fold in the above manner, it and wall 28 areprovided with beveled edges 68 and 69. At its lower edge the side panel54 is similarly provided with a horizontal flange 10 which projectsunder the floor 24 when the panel is in the folded position. The lastpanel 66 is attached to the floor '24.

This panel is relatively narrow and is adapted to fold upwardly behindthe roof panel 62.

To form an expanded structure, the pintle is removed from hinge 4i andthe front section '22 is swung through an angle of approximately 90about the pintle of hinge 40. The rear left corner of section 22 issupported by a jack of the type shown in Fig. 15 which comprisestelescoping tubular members 13 and. 15 :and a caster 11 provided with ashank 19 which screws into the inner member 15. The outer tubular member13 is bolted or otherwise attached to the building section 22 and thecaster 7 1 is normally held above the ground by a pin 8| which extendsthru registering holes 83 and in :tubular members 13 and 75,respectively. Before the structure is expanded pin 8| is removed andmembers 13 and 75 extended to lower caster 11 against the groundsurface. Any final adjustment that may be necessary to assure a firm,solid engagement of the caster TI is made by unthreading shank 79. Thus,when section 22 swings about hinge 40, caster 11 supports the rearswinging corner thereof. It will be readily appreciated that if a single:caster wheel 5| only is used it may also be desirable to providecaster-jacks at the two front corners of section 22. The rear buildingsection 20 is supported at each of its four corners by jacks M of thetype shown in Fig. 14. These jacks are identical to the one shown inFig. 15 and described above except that caster 1! is replaced by atransverse plate 81. When the building is in transitu, jacks 14 areraised so that the footpl-ates 81 clear the ground a substantialdistance; however, before the structure is expanded the footplates 8'!are lowered into engagement with the ground.

Panels 54 and 64 are then swung outwardly and into alignment with theirrespective walls '28. In this position the side panels are disposed atsubstantially right angles to-each other and their free edges cometogether. It will be observed that these panels are provided withadditional windows 89. In order to secure panels 54 and 64 in the aboveposition a retaining strip I8 is slipped onto the catch members 80, asbest shown in Fig. 7. The latter are attached to the panels 54 and 64adjacent their :free or swinging edges and correspond generally to catchmembers 44 hereinabove described. Similarly, retaining strip 18corresponds to retaining strip 42 and it will be Observed that it coversthe joint between the side panels 54 and 64. Both the catch members andthe retaining strip are provided with reversely bent edges whichinterengage to detachably hold the panels together.

Floor panels 52 and '66 are then swung downe impervious to wind andwater.

wardly to a horizontal position. In this position the floor panels 52and 56 align with their respective floors '24 and are supported by theinwardly extending flanges 60 and III carried by the respective sidewall panels 54 and 64. If desired, a suitable jack 3| may be placedunder the outer corner of floor panel 52. This jack may be similar tojacks It 'or separate from the floor panel and of conventionalconstruction.

Tocomplete the structure panel 62 is swun upwardly to a position flushwith the roofs 24, and in this position the outer edges of the roofpanel are disposed flush with the inner surfaces of side panels 54 and64, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In order to hold the roof panel 62 inthis position retaining strips 82 and 83 are slid onto catch members 84and 85. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, retainin strip 82 and catch members84 connect the roof panel 62 to the roof of rear section 20 whileretaining strip 83 and catch members 85 connect it to the roof of rearsection '22. The retaining strips '82 and 33 extend entirely acrosstheroof at substantially right angles to each other and close the jointsbetween the panel 62 and the adjacent roofs 32. Thus, the retainingstrips serve the double purpose of holding the top panel 62 in theraised position and also of rendering the roof It will be observed thatthe catch members 34 and 85 are arranged in pairs one member of eachpair being attached to the roof 32 and the other member being attachedto the panel 62. Both the catch members and the retaining strips areidentical in construction to those hereinabove described.

At its outer edges the roof panel 62 is supported :2?

by eaves 88 and 9D. The eaves extend the full length of panel 62 andtheir meetin ends are mitered, as at 92, to provide a continuousoverhang at the top of the wall panels 54 and 64. As

best shown in Figs. 8 and 9, eaves 88 and 90 are ,1;

generally rectangular in transverse section and are formed oflightweight sheet metal which provides a hollow construction that islight in weight and easily handled. Moreover, the hollow interior of theeaves provides a dead air space which inhibits passage of heattherethr-ough and substantially enhances their insulating properties. Attheir inner edges eaves 88 and 99 are provided with lateral extensions94 and 96, respectively, which overlay the upper edges of side panels 54and '64 and abut against the outer edges of the top panel 62. Theseextensions assist in supporting the eaves and close the joints betweenthe side and top panels. Catch members 98 and Hit! mounted on andattached to extensions 9d and 86 interlock with retaining strips I92 andI04, respectively, carried by the top panel 62. The projecting portionsof the catch members 38 and I III] are accommodated iniongitudinalrecesses I06 and IE8 provided at the edges of the top panel 62. Catchmembers 98 and III!) are longitudinally slidable in retaining strips I02and I04 so that the eaves 88 and 98 can be easily attached to or removedfrom the building.

Extending from eaves 88 and 90 and along the outer edges of therespective roofs 32 are eaves III], H2, H4, and H5. The latter areidentical in construction and are shown generally in Fig. 5 andspecifically in Fig. 13. It will be observed that eaves H0, H2, H4, andH6 are identical to eaves 88 and 90 except for the lateral extensions 94and 96 and that they are similarly attached to the roofs 32 by catchmembers H8 and retaining strips I20. The inner edges of eaves H0, H2, II4, and I I6, fit snugly against the respective sections and 'close thejoints between the roofs 32 and the adjacent side and end walls. As bestshown in Fig. 5, the meeting ends of eaves H0 and H2 and of eaves H4 andH6, are mitered, as at I22 and. I24, respectively. Eave III] abuts eave88 and eave H4 abuts eave 90. Thus, the eaves collectively present acontinuous overhang at the ends and outer sides of the building.

A porch is provided by hinged panels I26 and I28 which are carried bythe walls 26 of sections 2i] and 22. When the building is collapsed thepanels hang downwardly, as shown in Fig. 3, and when the building isexpanded they are adapted to be folded outwardly and supported bysuitable posts I30. When these posts are detached from panels I26 andI28 they may be stored within the sections 29] and 22 or secured to theoutside of the building in any suitable manner.

In order to enhance the appearance of the building when in the expandedposition the side and end walls of sections 20 and 22 and the sidepanels 52 and M are provided at their lower edges with hinged panelsI32. When panels I32 hang downwardly, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, theirlower edges engage the ground surface and their outer surfaces arepreferably painted or covered with a suitable material which simulatesbrick or stone so that the panels have the appearance of a foundationunder the building. When the building is collapsed the panels I32 arefolded upwardly and secured by suitable latch means (not shown). In thelatter position of the panels they serve as bumpers or fenders for thebuilding and strips I34 of rubber or the like are attached thereto toprotect them if the building strikes or rubs anything.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatvarious changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A building structure comprising front and rear sections each having afloor, side and end walls and a roof, said sections constructed andarranged to be disposed in end-to-end relation; hinge means connectingat least one pair of adjacent side walls and forming a vertical pivotabout which said sections can be swung apart; and a plurality of rigidpanels hingedly fastened to the adjacent ends of the sections, saidpanels constructed and arranged to fold in overlapping relation betweenthe sections when the latter are in end-to-end relation and when thesections are swung apart to unfold and enclose the space therebetween.

2. A building structure comprising front and rear building sections eachhaving a floor, side and end walls and a roof, said sections constructedand arranged to be disposed in end-toend relation and when so disposedthe respective floors, side walls and roofs being arranged substantiallyin alignment; hinge means connecting one pair of adjacent side walls andfarming a vertical pivot about which the sections can be swung apart;means detachably connecting the opposite pair of adjacent side walls;and a plurality of panels hingedly fastened to the adjacent ends of thesections, said panels constructed and arranged to fold in overlappingrelation between the sections when the latter are in end-to-end relationand when the sections are swung apart 75 to unfold and enclose the spacetherebetween.

3. A building structurf comprisingu front and; rear building sectinseach having fibd'r', side. and end walls and a roof, said' sections,constructed'fand arranged tobe disposed in end tot-end relation and-whenso disposedthe. respec tive floors, side walls androofsibeingliarrangedr substantially in alignment; hinge means connecting" atleastjone pairl offa'glj'acent sidewalls and forming a vertical 1K about which saidfsecti'o n's can be swuf' g 'ap panels hingedlyfastened {to the. adjacent ends of i the 1 sections, said panelsconstructed" and. arranged to foldin' overlapping relation betweenthefsections when the latterfarein end-t oend Qrti, and a. plurality of10 relationandwhen the sections are swung apar't" at least one pair ofadjacent side walls and forming a vertical pivot about which saidsections can be swung apartja plurality of panels hingedly fastenedtothefl'adjaoent endsjof the sections said panels constructed andarrangedvto fold in over: lapping relation between the sections when thelatter are in end-to-end relationand when the sections are swung apartto unfold .and form continuations of the floors, side walls and roofs,and means for releasably holding saidpan'els' in the unfolded position.

"5. Abuilding structure comprising front and 40 rear building sectionseach having a floon side, and end walls and a roof, said sectionsconstructed and arranged to be disposed in end-toend relationand when sodisposed the respective floors sidewalls and roofs being arrangedsubstantially in alignment} hinge means connecting at leastone pa'i'rofadjacent side, walls and 'forming a vertical pivot about which 'said'sections can be swung apart; a plurality of panels hingedly fastened tothe adjacent ends of sections, said panels constructed and arranged tofold inover lapping relation between the sections when the latt'er'arein end-to-end relation and when the sections a're swung apart to unfoldand form' continuations of the floors, side wallsand roofs,

when said panels are unfolde'd'the edges'of the' panel forming'continuatio'ns of said roofs being 7 disposed flush with the innersurfaces of the" panels'forming continuations of said side walls;

and'means detachably connecting the roof and 6 side panels.

6. A building structure comprising front and v rear buildingsectionseach having a floor; side and end walls and a roof, saidsections con-istructed and arranged to be disposed in end-t0 endrelation and when so disposed therespective floors, side. walls androofs being arranged substarltially in alignment; hinge means connectingat least one pair of adjacent side walls and forming a vertical pivotabout which said sectionsL canbe swung apart; a plurality of panelshingeda 1y fastened to the adjacent ends of the'sections, said panelsconstructed and arranged to fold in overlapping relation be'tween'thesections when the latter are in end-to-end relation an'd'when '75 thesections are swung apart to unfold and form continuations of the floors,side walls and roofs, when panels are unfolded the edges of eed f m n vii nu n sai of in disposed iiush with theinner surfaces of the pan-l 15lermins on ua ic of said id alls and. means detachably connecting theroof andside panels, saidrneans having parts overlapping the upper edgesof the side panels and abutting. the adjacent-edges oi the top panelwhereby to seal the joints therebetween.

'7. A buildingstructure comprising-frontand rear buildingsections eachhaving a floor, side; and; endwalls and a roof, said sections. con;structedandarranged to be disposed in end to end relation and when sodisposed the respective floors, side .walls and roofs being arrangedstantially in alignment; hingemeans connecting at least one pair ofadjacent side walls and forming a vertical pivot about which saidsections can beswung apart; a plurality of panels hingedly, fastened-tothe adjacent ends of the sectionasaid; panels constructed and arrangedtofold in over;-v lappingwrelation between the sectionswhen the latterarein end-to-end relation and when the sections are swung apart tounfoldand form COl'l-. tinuationsof .the fioors, side walls and roofs,;whensaid panels are unfolded the edgesof thepanel forming .continuations ofsaid roofs being disposedflush with the inner surfacesof the panelsforming continuations of sald'side walls; eaves proj ecting outwardlyfrom thelatter panels, parts i of said eaves overlapping the top edgesof the sidev panels and abutting theedges of the top panel whereby toseal the joints between said panels; and interlocking means detachablyconnecting, theeaves to said top panel.

8.-A building structure comprising front and-- rear buildingsectionseach having afloor, side, and end. walls and a roof, saidsectiQns constructed and arranged to be disposed in end-tom end relation and when sodisposed the respective: floors, side walls and roofs beingarrangedsubstantially in alignment; hinge means connecting at least onepair of adj acent side walls andforn ing a'vertical pivot about whichsaid sections can; berswungapart; a plurality of panels hingedlyfastened to the adjacent ends of the sections, said;- panels constructedand arranged to fold in over.- lapping. relationbetween the sectionswhen the, latter are in,end-to-end relation and when the sections areswung apart to unfold and formcontinuations of the floors, side wallsand roofs,

ground engaging wheels Supporting each of the:

sections; andspanels hingedly attached to the, lower edges of the sideand enclwalls and to the p n l t qrm ns continuations of the side wallsconstructed and arrangedto hang downwardly.

betweenthe, bottom of the building sections and tlie ground surfacewhereby to simulate a founs ation fa t e. c n

9. jAQbuilding structurelcomprising front and. rear buildingsectionseach havinga floor, side and end walls and, a r0of,; said sections,constructedand arranged to be disposed in end-.to-

stantially inalignment; hinge means connecting.

atleast one pairof adjacent side walls and forming a verticalpivottabout which said sections canl be. swungapart-;la plurality ofpanels hingedly fastened to the adjacent ends of'the sections; said.panelsconstructed and varranged. to fold in loverlapping relationbetween-the sections when the latter areinend-to-end relation-and tounfold when the sections are swung apart to form continuations of thefloors, side walls and roofs; a pair of swiveled ground engaging wheelssupporting at least one of the sections; panels hingedly attached at thelower edges of the side and end Walls and to the panels formingcontinuations of the side Walls constructed and arranged to hangdownwardly between the bottom of the building sections and the groundsurface or to be swung upwardly against said walls, in the firstposition said panels serving to conceal the wheels and to simulate afoundation for the sections and in the latter position said panelsfunctioning as fenders for the sections; and resilient strips secured tothe exposed faces of said panels when in the last mentioned position.

10. A building structure comprising front and rear building sections,each having a floor, side and end walls and a roof, said sectionsconstructed and arranged to be disposed in end-toend. relation and whenso disposed the respective fioors, side walls and roofs being arrangedsubstantially in alignment; hinge means connecting at least one pair ofadjacent side walls and forming a vertical pivot about which saidsections can be swung apart; wall and floor panels hingedly attached toone side wall and the floor respectively l0 connected front and rearbuilding sections; a pair of swiveled wheels supporting said frontbuilding sections; and a pair of fixedly mounted wheels supporting saidrear building section.

FRANK M. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,567,388 Rohne Dec. 29, 19252,155,876 Stout Apr. 25, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date828,477 France 1938 but-i Patent No. 2,485,463 October 18, 1949 FRANK M.SMITH It is hereby certified that errorseppear in the printedspecification of the above numbered patent requiring correction esfollows:

Column 5, line 21, for theword rear reed front column 6, line 66, forfarming read forming column 8, line 8, f orffoverlappmg read overlaying;e

and that the said'LettersPatent should be read with these correctlonstherein that 4 thesame may/conform to the record of the case in thePatent Oflice.

Signed and sealedthis 21st day of February, A, v1,950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

